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Burkina Faso Sacks Defence Minister Amid Growing Protests

President Roch Kabore has fired Cherif Sy in the wake of widespread protests against insecurity on June 26, 2021. At the beginning of June, Burkina Faso saw its worst terror attack on civilians since the conflict with armed groups linked to Al Qaeda and Islamic State (ISIS) began in 2015. Sy was at the helm of the defence ministry since then.

At least 138 people were killed in the village of Solhan. The attack triggered a wave of protests against insecurity.

His replacement is the president himself, along with a minister delegate, Colonel Major Aimé Simpore, who has been appointed to assist. Sy's dismissal was one of the protesters' major demands.

Burkina Faso: Burkina Faso's President Sacks Defense Minister

VOA, 1 July 2021

Burkina Faso's President Roch Kabore has dismissed the country's defense minister in the wake of widespread protests Saturday against insecurity. Read more »
Burkina Faso: Amid Growing Instability, France Signals It Will Reduce Military Presence

DW, 15 June 2021

Islamist militias in Burkina Faso raid villages and extort money from residents to fund their fight to establish a caliphate. But as violence increases, France wants to reduce its… Read more »
Burkina Faso: 'Priest and the Faithful Perhaps Kidnapped to Be Used As Human Shields'

Agenzia Fides, 23 June 2021

"Perhaps the priest and the faithful who accompanied him were kidnapped, at least initially, to serve as human shields by an armed group chased by the army and fleeing towards the… Read more »
Burkina Faso: UNICEF Provides Emergency Assistance After Solhan Attack

Unicef, 24 June 2021

Following armed attacks on the village of Solhan in the Sahel region of Burkina Faso, UNICEF has deployed emergency assistance in support of the Government and local authorities in… Read more »